Nadal vs. Federer (Hamburg Final)

[skip1969]

Originally Posted by Grimjack

I like Fed as much as anybody, but if he wins tomorrow, it doesn't mean ####. Ditto if he loses. There's one important clay match per year, and it isn't till next month.

WORD! all fed REALLY cares about at this point are the slams. he's thinking about his spot in the hall of fame. if you asked him where he would have preferred losing this year, in melbourne or in monte carlo/rome/hamburg . . . i think he'd opt for the clay court strike out and keep his aussie slam. tomorrow's match doesn't mean squat, other than to shut everyone up about the friggin' clay court streak and the losses to nadal.

why'd nadal play hamburg, anyway? i hope we're not gonna start hearing the 'nadal is worn out from winning everything on clay' excuses.

[Shaolin]

Fed is getting serious and taking Nadal DOWN. 6-3, 6-4

If my prediction is wrong, who cares, I dont know you people!!!!!(copyright @wright 2007)

[NamRanger]

Federer has shown some mental determination these past few days, I think even though his matches have been close and he hasen't played his best tennis, he is showing that he isn't mentally frail anymore.

[@wright]

I just got an email from Federer, he says he is sure he'll win this one in straights. He said Nadal looks tired and is asking for a good beating. Thus, I am staying with my prediction earlier in the thread. And if I am wrong............................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .....I STILL don't know you people! You won't be able to rag me in the parking lot Monday morning when you see me, because, you won't!

[Mick]

Federer is going to prove to the world that he doesn't need a coach to win tournaments

[Attila the tennis Bum]

Originally Posted by newbiett

whenever I predict fed win fed loses. so this time I predict he loses but secretly hope he'd win.

especially to Nadal on clay. I can't believe that people actually voted for Fed in 2!!! I will take that bet!

[@wright]

We'll have the last laugh! Fed in two!

[Zaragoza]

Originally Posted by skip1969

WORD! all fed REALLY cares about at this point are the slams. he's thinking about his spot in the hall of fame. if you asked him where he would have preferred losing this year, in melbourne or in monte carlo/rome/hamburg . . . i think he'd opt for the clay court strike out and keep his aussie slam. tomorrow's match doesn't mean squat, other than to shut everyone up about the friggin' clay court streak and the losses to nadal.

why'd nadal play hamburg, anyway? i hope we're not gonna start hearing the 'nadal is worn out from winning everything on clay' excuses.

So it seems that if Federer loses it´s not important and if he wins it means something. I get the idea

[@wright]

You got it! Finally someone is figuring us out! Fed in two!

[circusmouse]

I agree with the people who say Roger should go into this feeling no pressure. Whether or not he takes that approach, I don't know. Facing Rafa on clay is the only time he's not expected to win, and that should free him to play without fear, because there truly is nothing to lose and everything to gain. He knows Rafa is exhausted, so that should fire him up. He needs to go out there tomorrow like a shark that smells blood. Fearless and predatorial. That's how Nadal plays virtually all of the time against Fed. Also, a number of critics have been weighing in on how he should play to beat Nadal on clay, and he's bound to have heard some of those ideas. He should have multiple game plans to fall back on. I'm saying should here, not will. Imagine how high the drama will be if Fed wins Hamburg and then they meet in the final of the French.

[@wright]

I agree that Fed needs to come out playing fearlessly. I think he really needs to use his variety to keep Nadal uncomfortable. If Nadal is truly fatigued, then the variety gameplan should work very well. If Federer finds himself down early, he needs to slow things down and play a physical match and really dig into Nadal's service games. Fed also needs to serve well, which he has never done against Nadal on clay. I really believe that Fed has the odds in his favor and he will come out of here with a win. If he is the champion we say he is, he will take advantage of this opportunity and use this as a springboard into the upper echelons of tennis greatness. This is a huge match.

[Steve Dykstra]

Originally Posted by zpeed7

What would be funny though, regardless of who wins tomorrow, is that both Rafa and Fed are so tired from all these tournaments, they go on to the FO and both loose before the final... hehe And someone like Joker, Davy, Hewitt, or even Gonzo ends up winning the FO. Now that would be interesting...

Federer hasn't really played all that much clay court tennis this year. I don't see him losing in the French Open due to fatigue caused by too much playing. It could happen with Nadal, he is playing more this year than he ever has, although the past 2 years he had finals that went over 5 hours in Rome and had no problem.

[Attila the tennis Bum]

Originally Posted by @wright

We'll have the last laugh! Fed in two!

whats the record on clay now? 5-0 in favor of Nadal... right? And you are going to pick Fed in straight sets?????

How much do you want to bet? I tell you what :

if Fed wins in straight sets I will change my name to "I love Federer" and retire my current tag.

If on the other hand Federer wins in three or even better loses the match then you must forever be known as "I love Nadal".

do you accept my challenge?

This offer will expire at 3:30 a.m Sunday morning or whenever the match starts.

[Mick]

Here is what Mats had to say:
_____________________________

Some claim Federer’s mentality is wrong and that he is too friendly with Nadal. Federer produced a surprisingly calm facade after a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Nadal in last month’s Monte Carlo final.
“Roger looked too happy after that defeat,” reckoned Mats Wilander, the three times former French Open champion. “He should see that losing to Nadal is unacceptable.”
Wilander suggested Federer should release some of his emotional control and get angry, although given the embarrassing problems Federer had in keeping a check on this emotion before he reached maturity, it seems unlikely he will risk it.

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topic...9&parent_id=29

[ACE of Hearts]

Roger needs to finally win one of these on clay.He needs a better serving percentage, i can tell u that.He needs to take some speed of his serve and get those first serves in.

[ubel]

Originally Posted by Mick

Here is what Mats had to say:
_____________________________

Some claim Federer’s mentality is wrong and that he is too friendly with Nadal. Federer produced a surprisingly calm facade after a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Nadal in last month’s Monte Carlo final.
“Roger looked too happy after that defeat,” reckoned Mats Wilander, the three times former French Open champion. “He should see that losing to Nadal is unacceptable.”
Wilander suggested Federer should release some of his emotional control and get angry, although given the embarrassing problems Federer had in keeping a check on this emotion before he reached maturity, it seems unlikely he will risk it.

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topic...9&parent_id=29

Mats is a moron (with 7 slams). Federer plays his best when he's calm. Look at him during the Roddick AusOpen match this year: super-cool, composed nature hitting passing shots and winners like it was nothing. Releasing his emotion is like undoing years of training and allowing himself to play Nadal's emotional, physical game.. bad idea, Federer's not going to beat Nadal at his own game.

Fed needs to stay composed, punish Nadal with that outwide serve/sharply angled forehand to Nadal's backhand and deliver the KO with a shot into the open court. Also needs to start jumping on those weaker second and first serves, getting them back deep and putting Nadal on the defensive more than he's used to on his serve. None of that rushing the net business, just stay in his comfort zone, CREATE an opportunity to attack, and then attack, just like he does with everyone else he plays. He's capable of winning, he just needs to not only execute it (2006 Rome?) but also BELIEVE it and keep his head calm enough to close out a match given the chance.

[Attila the tennis Bum]

Originally Posted by ACE of Hearts

Roger needs to finally win one of these on clay.He needs a better serving percentage, i can tell u that.He needs to take some speed of his serve and get those first serves in.

what he really needs is a miracle.

[Fedace]

Does anyone in here know how to record or download that video on Babolat website of RAFA talking about his new contract?? His forehand sequence is so good, i want to record it and watch it for reference

[diegaa]

im watching this in spite i will have to wake up in 6 freaking hours... see you real soon.

[Nadal_Freak]

Originally Posted by diegaa

im watching this in spite i will have to wake up in 6 freaking hours... see you real soon.

I pulled an all nighter to watch this and am rescheduling my sleeping habits for this tournament, French Open, and Wimbledon. I guess I'm a hard core fan.